Folding bed.



No. 743,142. I PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903. G. P. BROWN.

FOLDING BED.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1902.

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No. 743,142. PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

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I UNITED STATES Fatented November 3, 1903 PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,142, dated November3, 1903.

Application filed November 14, 1902- serial No. 131,322. (No model.)

To all whom it may conccrm Be it known that I, OYRIL PEoK BROWN, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of S pringlake, in thecounty of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and ImprovedFolding Bed, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to improvements in foldable bedsteads, the samebeing more especially applicable to metallic bedsteads, although theimprovements may be used in connection with wooden bedsteads.

In my present invention I seek to provide means whereby metallicbedsteads of plain or ornamental design may be folded easily andquickly, such improvements being of a nature which enables me to fold orunfold the parts without modifying the factory or standard design of thehead or foot sections of the bedstead or the angle-iron bed-frame or thespring.

Another feature of the improved bedstead is a foldable and extensionbase in connection with the head-section, said base serving in itsextended position to lock the head-section steadily in place and in itsfolded position to secure the bed-frame and the foot-section againstdropping, so that it is impossible to open the bed-frame or thefoot-section until the extension-base is released and lowered.

I also contemplate the employment of means to assist in raising thebed-frame to an upright position, said means being in the form of acounterbalance-spring, which is placed under compression when thebed-frame is lowered.

My invention, furthermore, contemplates an automatic locking contrivancecontrollable by the adjustment of the foot-section in a way topositively lock all the parts when unfolded and efiectually overcomecollapsing of the bedstead when the same is in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention Will appear in thecourse of the subjoined description, and the novelty Will be defined bythe annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my metallic folding bed in itsunfolded operative position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewtaken through the improved bed to show the operation of the lockingmechanism, the foot-section being shown in its folded position by dottedlines. Fig. 3 is another longitudinal section taken in a plane whichwill illustrate more clearly the construction of the counterbalance.Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the parts in their folded positions. Fig.5 is a detail sectional view in the plane of the dotted line 5 5 of Fig.4; and Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of parts of the foot-section,showing the engagement of a drapery-rod therewith.

5 designates a head-section, 6 is a foot-section, and 7 is a bed-frame,said parts constituting the essential cooperating elements of a foldingbed as contemplated in my invention. The head and foot sections 5 6maybe constructed in accordance with any design or pattern, it beingunnecessary to modify the style or pattern of these parts to enable myimprovements to be used iii-connection therewith. The bed-frame 7 may beconstructed of metallic angle-bars to form the side and end rails; but,if desired, this bed-frame may be made of wood, although I prefer toemploy metal. The head and foot sections are not connected directly withthe bed-frame 7, and this last-mentioned frame is therefore complete initself, consisting of side and cross rails, which are properly fastenedtogether.

In connection with the head-section 5 I employ brackets 8 9, which arecurved or fashioned to provide horizontal arms and vertical legs. Thehorizontal portions of the brackets 8 9 are disposed in overlappingrelation to the corner-posts of the head-section, and thesaid bracketsare secured firmly to the head-section by any suitable meanssuch, forexample, as the clamps 10. The brackets 8 9 extend forwardly from thehead-section and terminate in vertical portions, which constitute thelegs 8 9, respectively, said legs being adapted to rest firmly on thefloor or other surface and forming, in connection with the corner-posts,a wide base to properly support the head-section 5 in a stationaryposition when the bed is folded.

The bracket-legs 8 9 of the head-section are provided at pointsintermediate of their length with journals or trunnions 11, the sameextending inwardlyor toward each other and fitting loosely in apertures12, provided in the side rails of the bed-frame 7. (See Figs. at and 5.)The bed-frame is thus pivotally connected ata pointintermediate of itslength to the bracket-legs of the head-section, and this bed-frame isadapted to swing or turn on a horizontal axis afforded by the journals11, whereby said bed'frame may be lowered to its horizontal position, asshown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or it may be folded to an upright position,as shown by Fig. 4. The depending leg portions of the brackets 8 9 areconnected by a tie rod or tube 13, which has its end portions firmlysecured to said depending portions of the brackets-as, forexample, bymeans of the nuts 14. This tie-rod is attached to the legs of thebrackets at a point to lie below the bed-frame 7 when the latter isadjusted to its horizontal position, and the tie-rod is thus disposedout of the path of the bed-frame and in eccentric relation thereto, asshown by Figs. 2 and 3.

The foot-section 6 of the bedstead is provided with bent or curvedbrackets 16, the same being similar to the brackets 8 9 of thehead-section. Said brackets 15 16 have horizontal and vertical portions,and these horizontal portions are secured firmly to the corner-posts ofthe foot-section-as, for example, by means of the clamps 17. Thedepending portions of these brackets 15 16 are united bya tie rod ortube 18, which has its end portions passed through said brackets toreceive the clamping-nuts 19. The foot-section 6 is connected pivotallywith the outer or upper part of the bed-frame 7 by means of trunnions20, which are fixed firmly to the inner opposing sides of thelongitudinal rails forming a part of the bed-frame 7, said trunnions 20fitting loosely in openings provided in the brackets 15 16. It will benoted that the brackets are fixed to the foot-section 6 and pivotallyconnected to the bed-frame near its outer end, and this foot-section isadapted as an entirety to fold over the bed-frame on the horizontal axisafforded by the trunnions 20. (See the dotted lines in Fig. 2 and thefullline illustration in Fig. 4:.) The foot-section is thus foldablerelatively to the bed-frame, and when said foot-section is in itsunfolded position, as shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the corner-posts andthe leg portions of the brackets 15 16.are adapted to rest upon thefloor, thusafiordinga wide base-surface for the footsection.

21 designates an extension-base, which is in the form of a doubled orlooped frame. The end portions of this looped frame are fitted looselyon the tie-rod 13, which connects the leg portions of the brackets 89 ofthe headsection. The arm 21 of the looped frame is held against slidingmovement on the tie-rod 13 by means of a nut 22 and the head 23 ofacounterbalance device; but the other arm 21" of this looped frame isfree to have a limited slidable adjustment on the tie-rod 13 between thebracket 8 and the head 23, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. Thisshiftable arm 21 of the looped frame is adjustable relatively to alocking lug or stop 24, the latter being fixed on the leg-bracket 8 tolie in the path of the arm 21 when the looped frame is lowered orraised. This looped frame is adapted to be lowered before unfolding thebed-frame 7 or the foot-section 6, said looped frame resting at its freeend on the floor and having its arm 21 engaged with the lockingstud 24in a way to prevent the looped frame fromlifting, whereby said frame isadapted to lock the head-section steadily in place and to preventtipping or tilting of the structure as an entirety when the bed-frame islowered to its horizontal operative position.

A counterbalance-spring 25 is associated with the tie-rod 13 and withthe outer end portion of the hinged bed-frame 7. Thiscounterbalance-spring is coiled loosely around the members 26 27 of anextension rod or tube. The member 27 of the extension tube is screwedadjust-ably in a sleeve 23,-Whi0l1 forms a part of the T-shaped head 23.The transverse portion 23 of this T-shaped head is fitted loosely on thetie-rod 13, so as lie between the arms 21 and 21 of the looped frame,and said head is free to turn on the tie-rod, thus havinga pivotalmovement thereon. The member 27 of the extensible springrod has fixedengagement with the sleeve 23 of the T-shaped head, and on this member27 is screwed a nut 28, the latter affording a bearing for one end ofthe counterbalance-spring 25. The member 26 of the extensible rod is inthe form of a tube arranged to loosely or slidably receive the rodmember 27, and the outer end of said rod member 26 is fitted in abearing-loop 29, the latter being firmly secured at one corner of thebed-frame 7. The counterbalance-spring 25 is thus seated at one end onthe nut 28 of the extension-rod and at its other end against the cornerbearing-bracket 29, and this spring is adjustable with the bed-frame 7in order that it may retain its operative relation to said frame when itis raised or lowered. It will be noted that the extension rod of thecounterbalancespring swings on a pivot afforded by the rod 13, and thispivot is eccentric to the axis 11, on which the bed-frame swings, saidpivot of the extension-rod being closer to the outer part of thebed-frame than the pivot 11. When the bed-frame is raised, theextensible rod 26 27 and the counterbalance-spring 25 swing upwardtherewith, and during this adjustment the member 27 of the rod is drawnout from the member 26, thus allowing the spring 25 to exert its tensionon the bed-frame in a manner to assist the operator in raising orfolding the bed-frame and the foot-section supported thereon. To lowerthe bed-frame from its vertical to its horizontal position, the operatorexerts the necessary force to pull said frame beyond the proper inclinedposition, and during this adjustment the memfoot-section.

bers 26 27 of the rod are pressed together and the spring is placedunder compression, thus storing the required energy to assist in raisingthe bed-frame 7 when desired.

The bed-frame 7 is providedfnear its hinged point 11 with a guide-plate30, which is secured firmly to one of the side rails and projectsinwardly therefrom. Through this guide-plate loosely passes alocking-rod 31, the same arranged longitudinally of the bedframe andprovided at its outer end with a head 32, which is loosely fitted on thetie-rod 18, that connects the leg-brackets 15 16 of the The locking-rod31 is pointed at its free end, as indicated at 33, and this pointed endof the rod is adapted to fit in an aperture in a locking-plate 34. Thislockingplate is secured firmly to the bracket 9 of the head-section 5,said locking-plate extending inwardly from the bracket and having itseye disposed in the path of the pointed end of the locking rod 31.Instead of providing the locking-plate with an eye or perforation saidplate may have an inclined edge or face, against which the locking-rodis adapted to ride.

It will be observed that the locking-rod 31 is connected pivotally withthe brackets 15 16, which are attached to the foot-section and areconnected pivotally with the outer part of the bed-frame, and when thisfoot-section and its leg-brackets are adjusted the rod 31 is movedendwise through the guide-plate in a manner to make it engage with thelocking-plate 34 or to withdraw it from said locking-plate, according tothe direction in which the foot-section is turned. If the parts assumethe position shown by Fig. 2, with the bedframe lowered and thefoot-section adjusted to its operative position, the looking-rod isprojected to a forward position and engages with the locking-plate 34.To fold the bed, the operator turns the foot-section 6 and the brackets15 16 on the pivot 20, said foot-sec tion and its parts assuming thedotted-line position in Fig. 2. turned, the rod 31 is pulled endwise towithdrawits pointed end-from the locking-plate 34; but this withdrawalof the rod does ,not disengage its free end from the guide-plate 30, thelatter serving to keep the locking-rod in the proper position. If thebed is inthe folded position shown by Fig. 4, the frame 7 and thefoot-section should be lowered until the frame assumes a horizontalposition, so as to bring the guide-plate 30 into alinement with thelocking-plate 34; but the rod 31 remains at rest until the foot-sectionis turned from its folded horizontal position over into its uprightoperative positi0n, at which time the tie=rod 18 gives the desiredendwise movement to the rod 31, thereby moving the latter endwise andinto engagement with the lockingplate. fore be understood that thelocking device is adjustable with the frame and the foot-section andthat said locking device is control- When the foot-section is It willtherelable entirely by the movement of the foot section, whereby thelocking device is automatically released when the foot-section is foldedand it is made to assume its operative position when the foot-section isunfolded. With the bed-frame and the foot-section in their lowered orunfolded positions the extension-base formed bythe loop 21 occupies theinclined position shown by Figs. 1 and 3, and in this position of saidlooped frame the arm 21 thereof fits below the lug or stud 24, thuslocking the frame 21 against elevation. The frame 7 and the foot-sectionmay be folded to the upright positions shown by Fig. 4 withoutdisturbing the inclined position of the looped frame; but after thebed-frame shall have been folded, as described, the arm 21 of the loopedframe may be pressed inwardly to clear the stud 24, and saidlooped framemay then be raised to the position shown by Fig. 4. Said looped frame isthus folded compactly into parallel relation to the bed-frame 7, and itis held in such raised position by its arm 21 engaging with the stud 24,the latter serving to confine the looped frame in its lower inclinedposition as well as in its raised position. The looped frame thuspractically locks the bed-frame 7 in its raised position,because thestud 24 holds the frame 21 against dropping, and this frame 21 lies inthe path of the bed-frame, so that the latter cannot be lowered untilthe. looped frame shall-have been first moved by hand to its inclinedposition shown by Figs. 1 and 2.

When the foot-section 6 and the bed-frame 7 are folded, the leg portionsof the brackets 15 16 extend upwardly and in parallel relation to thebed-frame 7, as shown by Fig. 4, and these parts of the brackets 15 16are utilized to support a drapery-rod 35. The leg portions of thebrackets 15 16 are provided in their free ends with notches 36, and onthese leg portions of said brackets are mounted the rollers or casters37, the latter having notches 38 and being free to turn on thestub-axles 39. These rollers 37 are adapted to ride on the floor whenthe brackets 15 16 are turned with the foot-section but when the partsare folded the notches 38 of the rollers are adapted to register withthe notches 36 of the leg-brackets, as shown by Fig. 6, thus makingprovision for fitting narrow portions of the drapery-rod in the notchedends of the brackets and in the notches of the rollers. The drapery-rod35 is provided with notches 40 in opposite sides thereof, as shown byFig. 6, to produce the for the support of a curtain at the sides andacross the front of the bedstead, said curtain adapted to conceal theentire structure.

By folding the foot-section 6 over the bedframe, as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 2, it is adapted to confine the mattress and bedclothingbetween itself and the bed-frame, thus dispensing with cords or strapsto hold the mattress and the bedclothing in place whenthe bedstead isfolded.

It is evident that the nut 28 may be adjustedon the rod member 27 tovary the tension ofthe spring 25 in proportion to the load which it isrequired to lift. This spring 25 may be placed in any desired positionon the extensible rod; but the arrangement shown by the drawings hasbeen found in practice to secure good results.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. In a folding bed, the combination With a foldablebed-frame, of angular brackets connected pivotally to said bed-frame andhaving their inner arms arranged at an angle to said bed-frame, and afoot-section mounted on the outer arms of the brackets and foldabletherewith, said foldable foot-section being movable into parallelclamping relation to the bed-frame, and the foldable legs of saidfoot-section together with the inner arms of the angular brackets beingadapted to rest on the floor in the unfolded positions of the parts. 1

2. In a folding bed, the combination with a foldable bed-frame, ofangular brackets pivotally connected to said bed -frame, and afoot-section having its legs or posts fastened to said brackets, theentire foot-section being foldable with the brackets.

3. In a folding bed, the combination with a foldable bed-frame, ofangular brackets pivotally connected to said bed-frame, and afoot-section attached to the outer arms of said brackets and foldablebodily therewith, the inner arms of said pivoted brackets furnishing asupport for a drapery-rod in the folded position of the parts.

4. In a folding bed, the combination with a bed-frame, of angularbrackets pivoted thereto, a foot-section carried by said brackets at oneend thereof, and drapery-rod supports on the other ends of said angularbrackets.

5. In a folding bedstead, the combination of a head-section, a bed-framepivotally connected with the head-section, and an extension -loasehaving pivotal and interlocking connection with said head-section andadapted in its unfolded position to serve as a stay in holding thehead-section against movement, said extension-base being connected tothe head-section independently of the bedframe and foldable into anupright position and in rear of the bed-frame to serve as a means forretaining the latter in its folded position.

6. In a folding bed, a head-section, brackmama ets fastened thereto, anextension-base having interlocking engagement in its folded and unfoldedpositions with said brackets and serving as a stay to the head-section,and a bed frame connected pivotally with said brackets, saidextension-base being connected to the head-section independently of thebedframe and foldable into an upright position and in rear of thebed-frame to serve as a means for retaining the latter in its foldedposition.

7. In afolding bed, a head-section provided with leg-brackets, abed-frame hinged to said brackets, and an extension-base havinginterlocking and foldable connection with said leg-brackets and adaptedin its unfolded po-' sition to serve as a stay to the head-section andin its raised locked position as a retaining device to the bed-frame.

8. In afolding bed, a head-section provided with a locking-stud, abed-frame hinged to said head-section, and :a foldable extensionbaseconnected with the head-section to have interlocking engagement with thestud thereon in its unfolded and folded positions, said extension-baselying in the path of the bedframe and confining the latter in its foldedposition.

9. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a stationary part, and abed-frame pivoted thereto, of a rod having its end portions fitted tothe stationary part and the bedframe respectively, a nut adjustable onthe rod, and a spring acting against the nut and the bed-frame, said rodhaving a pivotal and extensible adjustment relative to said stationarypart.

10. In a folding bed, the combination with a head-section and a pivotedbed-frame, of an extensible rod connected at onerend to tho bed-frameand turning on a pivot located at one side of the pivot of saidbed-frame, and a counterbalance-spring held by said rod and actingagainst the bed-frame, said spring being placed under compression by theunfolding of the bed-frame.

11. In a folding bedstead, the combination with a stationary part, and abed-frame pivoted thereto, of an extensible rod having a member fittedto the bed-frame and another member pivoted to the stationary part atone side of the pivot of the bed-frame, and a counterbalance springfitted to the respective members of the rod and adapted to be compressedby the contracting movement of the rod members when the bed-frame islowered.

12. In a folding bed, the combination of a head-section, a bed-framepivoted thereto, angular brackets pivoted to the bed-frame, afoot-section, a locking member fixed to the head-section, and a singlelocking-rod pivotally connected to the angular brackets and slidablyfitted to the bed-frame for engagement with the fixed locking member onthe unfolding of the angular brackets.

13. In a folding bed, the combination of a head-section, a pivotedbed-frame, angular brackets, a tie-rod connecting said brackets andpivotally attaching them to the bedframe, a foot-section supported bythe brackets, a locking-plate fixed to the head-section, and a singlelocking-rod loosely connected to the tie-rod and slidably held on thebed-frame to engage with the locking-plate on the unfolding adjustmentof the parts.

14. In a folding bed,the combination with a head-section, a pivotedbed-frame, and a footsection pivoted to said bed-frame, of a locking-rodhaving a cranked connection with the foot-section, and a locking elementfast with the head-section and disposed for engagement withsaidlocking-rod. l

15. In a folding bed,theoombination with a head-section and a pivotedbed-frame, of a stud on said head-section, a tie-rod fixed to thehead-section, an. extension-rod having a head loosely fitted on saidtie-rod and conneeted with the bed-frame, a compression- ,spring seatedat one end against the bedframe and at its other end against theprojection on the rod, and a looped frame-extension base loosely fittedon the tie-rod on opposite sides of the head of the extension-rod, onearm of said looped frame being slidable between the extension-rod andthe stud of the head-section.

16. In a folding bed, a foot-section having brackets provided withrollers, and a draperyrod fitted removably to said brackets and rollers.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

OYRIL PEOK BROWN.

Witnesses:

JOHN B. PRUIM, ENNO J. PRUIM.

